Live Lessons: "Winter Landscape" - Acrylics
Lessons
About This Lesson Series...
In this 9 part lesson series, you'll create a winter scene with acrylics. Watch and learn as we cover every step of the process from start to finish.
Lesson 1 (1:02:48)
In lesson one, we develop a loose, graphite sketch of the composition and begin painting the background sky. We pull in a few purples and yellows as we start to define a color scheme. Since we're working with acrylics, we address the background first before moving on to the middle ground.
Lesson 2 (1:09:44)
In lesson two, we continue with the background, adding a few more indications of light and increasing the contrast. A larger brush is used for most of the applications as we lay on the colors quickly before refining the details. We also add a few more clouds and make the blues more intense.
Lesson 3 (1:01:01)
In lesson three, we work our way down to the middle ground and begin adding colors for the snow. A bit of blue is added to the white to create a more natural appearance. We also add a few indications of distant buildings with a just a few small shapes.
Lessons 4 - 6 (3:20:26)
With our base colors in place, we add the trees. By adjusting the viscosity of the paint, we create the intricate details of each tree. Branches gradually appear as our scene begins to develop into a more realistic painting. We also address the light, adding subtle highlights and shadows to each tree.
Lessons 7 - 8 (2:15:45)
Next we move down to the foreground, adding wisps of grass along the banks of the creek. The contrast created by the orange grass blades and the blue of the sky begins to make the painting pop. We also address the water by starting with a surprising color. We add highlights and shadows and create a subtle indication of ripples.
Lesson 9 (1:12:24)
In the last lesson, we add the final details and complete the painting. The water and the trees are refined along with the soft shadows found on the creek bank.
Here's what you'll need...
- Gessoed masonite
- Acrylic paints
- Graphite pencil
- Nylon brushes
- Water
It looks beautiful, so far.
Shouldn’t you always paint a bit lighter with acrylic paints because they dry darker?
Hi Valerie,
Actually some acrylics dry a little lighter, some dry a little darker, and some stay consistent with color and intensity. If your acrylics are drying a little darker, it is likely because of the binder – which is an acrylic polymer. Some brands use a polymer that is slightly white, but dries clear. This can cause the paint to dry slightly darker. In most artist-quality paints, this difference is extremely slight. Many manufacturers now use a clear polymer which dries more consistently and may make some pigments dry slightly lighter. I would say that since the difference is so slight, trying to mix and apply colors slightly lighter would be a hinderance and may drive you mad. 🙂
I use Golden, and was told this by other instructors, who also used Golden. Does Golden have this problem? I never noticed the difference after drying, but worried about it a little in the back of my mind. Now, maybe I won’t! 😊
Hi Valerie,
Yes, I wouldn’t let it worry you too much – especially since you don’t notice a difference when dry.
When will lesson five be posted?
Hi Stephen,
It’s just been posted. Recorded Live Lessons are usually posted two days after the live class. It takes a little time to encode, upload, and post.
Hi Matt,
Happy New Year to you and yours as well. Thank you so much for this lesson. Have learned that acrylics can be used light to dark or vise versa , and you can use smaller brushes , which for me has always felt more comfortable to do. Watching this lesson has been very inspiring.
So beautiful! When I get time, I need to go through this whole thing and paint along. 😊
I have learned a lot from this series… most of all patience! Thank you
this is such a beautiful picture …. I can almost smell the fresh air.
Hi Matt,
Myrtle and I just want to let you know that we learned a lot from watching you paint the winter landscape. We enjoyed it a lot.
Sorry i missed it live but will be watching it pre-recorded 🙂 …donno what happened…couldn’t get on…
Hi Matt I JUST JOINED LAST WEEK AND REALLY LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING, THANKS SO MUCH, I AM UP TO THIS LESSON NOW. WHAT IS THE WEBSITE YOU TALK ABOUT WHERE THIS PHOTO CAME FROM? AND CAN I SELL MY PAINTINGS FROM YOUR LESSON? HAVE A AWESOME DAY
Matt I just learned what the website is called.
What is the medium you are using for tomorrow’s live lesson?
Hi Julie,
Tomorrow, we are working with gouache. You can see this lesson series here…https://thevirtualinstructor.com/members/gouache-painting-candy/
HI MATT THANKS AGAIN FOR POFIDING A WONDERFUL WEBSITE.
COULD PUT TOGETHER A MINI SERIES OF TALL RUGGED MOUNTAINS WITH BEAUTIFUL SUNRISE AND A WATERFALL PLEASE.
HAVE AN AWESOME DAY
Hi Matt
I HAD TROUBLE WITH MAKING THE SNOW LOOK DEEP ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BANK, DID ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCE THE SAME? I PUT MORE GRASS AND BUSHES INSTEAD; MAYBE YOU COULD EXPLAIN WHAT YOU ARE DOING IN MORE DETAIL. PERHAPS INCLUDE THIS IN THE MINI SERIES:THAT IS IF YOU DECIDE TO DO IT IN THE FUTURE (MOUTAIN, SUNRISE & WATERFALL) THANKS AGAIN, HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY
Hi Julie,
It’s hard to tell where you’re running into difficulties. Maybe you could email me a photo and I can help you directly. You can upload your work here…https://thevirtualinstructor.com/members/contact/
HI MATT, MY HUSBAND AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A BAD CAR ACCIDENT ON 7TH DECEMBER 2016, SINCE THEN I LIVE WITH A LOT OF CONFUSION, AND BAD HEAD PAIN FROM THE WHIP LASH, SO I PAINTED OVER THE LANDSCAPE. I WANT TO DO IT AGAIN, SHOULD I COMPLETE THE ACRYLIC COURS FIRST AND LEARN THER BASICS? I STARTED DRAWING ONLY IN DECEMBER, AND PAINTING FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS.
HI AGAIN, IT IS POSSIBLE I COULD HAVE ACQUIRED A BRAIN INJURY, SOON I WILL BE TESTED FOR THIS, IN REGARD TO ART I AM GOOD AT DRAWING FACES, SO MAYBE SHOULD CONSIDER DOING YOUR WONDERFUL PENCIL DRAWING COURSE INSTEAD.
I HAVE STARTED THE WINTER LANDSCAPE AGAIN, WHEN I GET TO THE SNOW BANK ON THE RIGHT I MIGHT NEED YOUR HELP.
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE WITH ME
Hi Matt when you are ready you could help me with the snow bank on this winter landscape I really am enjoying doing this painting this time.
Thanks so much
Hi Matt how are you and your family, I sent my painting, as I need help with making the snow look deep, when can you help me?
HI
Matt
nice course i just joined on a
trail period but i dont know from which class to start and which course
Since I am new to painting and The Virtual Instructor I am a little loss. I am doing your winter landscape from a year ago. Not sure what the e-books are about and how to find them. Also, wish there was a list of the paints needed before I started the painting since often I have to stop and go shopping. Maybe this painting is a little too advanced for me but I am enjoying trying to do my best and really appreciate that the instructor does not rush with his painting.
Exactly what i was looking for. Can you please tell me what is the color palette for this painting?May be i ve missed out. I dont have the board can i paint on gessoed canvas? Can i use a retarder or a glossing liquid for the acrylics as they drive so quickly or water is fine? Just work fast i guess. Thank you for all the wonderful lessons that are of great help for beginners.
sorry typo error dry faster i mean. oops!